Agri Min advising farmers on sowing to counter poor monsoon

New Delhi: The Agriculture Ministry has
prepared a comprehensive contingency plan in view of the poor
monsoon, whereby farmers in each district of affected states
are advised which crops to sow and when.

As the country`s north-western region has been worst-hit
with poor rains, the National Rainfed Authority (NRRA) under
the Ministry of Agriculture has asked farmers to sow basmati
paddy crop in Central Punjab and short-duration paddy variety
along with green and blackgram, pigeonpea in eastern Uttar
Pradesh, respectively, between July 15 and 31.

Moreover, high-breed bajra and sorghum can be planted in
the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh
during this period.

Short-duration bajra, moong and guar can be sown in
Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi and urad, sunflower, maize and
pigeonpea in some of the paddy-growing areas of Bihar.

Similarly, moong, bajra, guar and maize can be planted in
some districts of Punjab, Himachal and Uttar Pradesh in the
first fortnight of August, while short-duration varieties of
sorghum, bajra and moong can be sown in the Bundelkhand region
of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

"The plan has been framed keeping in mind the delayed
monsoon which will have adverse impact on water availability
in the rain-fed areas in the country.

"States have been advised to follow the plan to avert a
food crisis," NRRA Technical expert (forest) VK Bahuguna said.

The Authority has also asked the states to adopt
contingency measures for livestock and horticulture, among
others.